Madam, - The anti-PD rhetoric from some of your letter-writers has been astounding.
Let's state a few facts. Labour campaigned on a platform that excluded coalition with Fianna Fáil. It cannot claim any mandate now to consider this as an option. Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael candidates were elected on a promise not to go into government with Sinn Féin. Therefore, this option can also be ruled out. This leaves us in the position that no-one can go into government without the PDs, or without breaking promises.
In fairness to Fianna Fáil, it left the door open for both Labour and the PDs, and presumably those who voted Fianna Fáil did so knowing that another PD coalition was a real possibility.
So, for those who talk of no mandate for the PDs in government, the reality is that there is no mandate for anything else,. - Yours, etc,
COLIN R. COOPER, Ballineen, Co Cork.
Madam, - The electorate voted for the middle ground and a perceived level of economic stability. With few exceptions, the members of the 30th Dáil will be drawn from the centre ground. The public did not return Michael McDowell or Joe Higgins. These men, two of our best parliamentarians, hold diametrically opposing political beliefs, yet both are men of integrity who served this country with distinction. They were lone voices in highlighting issues such as paramilitary crime, the problems within An Garda Síochána and the poverty that goes unnoticed by so many.
In our rush to the centre I fear we have opted for the politics of consensus and left little room for the politics of ideas. While economic stability and growth are vital, we should remember a nation is more than an economy. A true democracy always leaves room for the voices of the minority to be heard. - Yours, etc,
GARRETT MURRAY, The Tramyard, Inchicore, Dublin 8.
Madam, - Many writers to your Letters page appear to be under the impression that the voters have rejected the PDs and their "Thatcherite" policies. The PDs did badly because almost every other electable party stole their policies and their ideas are now unchallengeable economic orthodoxy. In this election no credible political party campaigned on a platform of raising taxes, arbitrary redistribution of wealth or an increased role for government in society. - Yours, etc,
DAVID ROLFE, Leinster Road, Dublin 6.
Madam, - David Doyle (May 28th) bemoans the probable re-election of Fianna Fáil and the long term impact of this on the overall state of our parliamentary democracy, likening our political situation to the experiences of Mexico and Italy. The pertinent question is: where does the fault lie? In my mind, certainly not with Fianna Fáil.
That party underwent sustained attack during the campaign from the opposition parties (to be expected in a democracy) and the vast bulk of the print and broadcast press (sadly, also to be expected). The message was that the party was jaded after 10 years of office and had broken its promises. Unremitting focus was applied to the subject of Bertie Ahern's private financial matters.
Despite these assaults, Fianna Fáil looks set to be returned to power. Quite simply, the party made its case to the voters, who decided to maintain the status quo. The so-called Alliance for Change failed to convince the public of the merits of its policies and its suitability as an alternative government. This was the crux of the electorate's final analysis.
No matter how they try to disguise it, this was a poor election for Fine Gael. While periodic changes of government are healthy for the maintenance of a healthy democracy, a lazy-minded and unfocused opposition merely offering change for its own sake is insufficient to guarantee such rotation. The electorate requires choice and credible alternatives for government. It is clear from recent weeks that both remain lacking. - Is mise,
MUIRIS MAC GEARAILT, Bramley Park, Dublin 15.
Madam, - Food for thought: Mark Killilea used to attribute Fianna Fáil's success to the support of "the man who eats his dinner in the middle of the day". Now we are told it is due to the support of "breakfast-roll man". - Yours, etc,
SÉAMUS DOOLEY, St Thomas Road, Dublin 8.
Madam, - Sinn Féin's failure to achieve a breakthrough is further proof that its grand strategy for achieving a united Ireland cannot succeed. For a long time now, its brilliant propaganda machine has relied on its image as the "only all-Ireland party". But the election result has confirmed that Gerry Adams is a complete irrelevance in Irish politics. Partition is a reality, no matter how frequently Sinn Féin claims otherwise.
Unfortunately, many unionists believed Sinn Féin's claims that, once it was in power on both sides of the Border, a united Ireland was just around the corner. They were not entirely convinced by Bertie Ahern's assurances that he would not do a deal with Sinn Féin. This was a hindrance to better North-South relations. Now that Sinn Féin has been humbled by the Irish electorate, these relations can only improve.
Irish unity might, as Gerry Adams argues, still be attainable. But if there ever is a united Ireland, it will be in spite of Sinn Féin, not because of it. - Yours, etc,
DAVID SHIELS, Peterhouse, Cambridge, England.
Madam, - The loss of Joe Higgins's Dáil seat in Dublin West reinforces my feeling that Irish society is moving towards a US model: materialistic greed, degradation of family ties, lack of social cohesion, an emphasis on the individual over the state, a lack of public transport in favour of the car, financing of politics by business, a gulf between the haves and have-nots, the ghettoisation of poverty, a lack of political power and stake-holding by the have-nots, an absence of meaningful left-wing politics.
We are not yet afflicted with all the US ills: we have a relatively independent media, some level of public concern for pensioners and welfare recipients, and a system of public health (for how much longer?). And I don't believe that McCarthyism or the worst neo-con excesses we see across the Atlantic would be possible here.
However, we are on a dangerous slope. The Celtic Tiger is increasing, not closing, the gap between rich and poor. The absence of left-wing or even social democratic politics doesn't augur well. During the election campaign it was sad to see politicians of all shades break into a sweat when accused by Fianna Fáil or by an interviewer of wanting to increase taxes. It has come to the point where improving public services or ending the financing of political parties by business cannot be discussed without hiding the obvious fiscal implications.
The disappearance of Joe Higgins from the Dáil and the gradual but continuous shift of the Labour Party to the centre should be of concern not only to the left but to the whole country. - Yours, etc,
JOE MARSÁ, Ballygihen Apartments, Sandycove, Co Dublin.
Madam, - Let me compliment you on the "Results 2007" supplement to Monday's edition. It is a first-rate document to which I am sure to make frequent reference. But, in the light of the election result, will I need it for very long? - Yours, etc,
Dr BILL SHEPPARD, Acorn Road, Dublin 16.
Madam, - I read with amusement that Fianna Fáil are going to look to "like-minded" TDs for support in forming the next government - two of these being Beverly Flynn and Michael Lowry, one a reject from Fianna Fáil, the other a reject from Fine Gael. I do not think this is what people voted for. - Yours, etc,
CONOR ROANTREE, Chelmsford Road, Dublin 6.
Madam, - Bertie Ahern's "preferred option" may be the PDs, but it is obviously not the people's.- Yours, etc,
HELEN CARRAGHER, Dargle Wood, Dublin, 16.
Madam, - Where now stands the PD-inspired hospital co-location plan? Will a new administration appointed by Dáil Éireann review this dubious, socially divisive strategy and reflect on its obvious rejection by the electorate as shown in the resounding defeat of the smaller Government party? Finally, in light of her party's defeat, what justification could there be for re-appointing Mary Harney to the health portfolio? - Yours, etc,
Dr PASCAL O'DEA, Medical Centre, Bagenalstown, Co Carlow.
Madam, - I'm not politically aligned, but I think a Fianna Fáil-Green Party coalition would be the best possible government to come out of the election.
Brian Cowen doesn't seem too keen on it and a lot of people see the Greens as "flaky". I disagree. I think that with the ministries of the Environment and Transport the Greens would make an invaluable contribution to the Irish economy and Irish life.
Although the Greens and Fianna Fáil together make up only 84 seats, a majority of one, add in Noel Grealish and Mary Harney as extra Fianna Fáil deputies and you have a comfortable majority. - Yours, etc,
DARRAGH BOLLARD, Rush, Co Dublin.
Madam, - Cllr Paschal Donohoe must be the unluckiest politician in the land. In spite of polling more than 3,000 first-preferences votes he lost the fourth seat in Dublin Central to a candidate who received only 939 first preferences. Is this a record? Furthermore, the successful candidate did not appear to even canvass the area. It makes me wonder if Cyprian Brady really exists. - Yours, etc,
RUTH CARTY, Home Farm Road, Drumcondra, Dublin 9.